Caring for the Wayward:

Context:

• Who is for Jesus and who is against Jesus?
• Who sins, and who causes others to sin?
• In a world of sin and sorrow, what do we care about?
• The Pharisees and scribes complained about the company Jesus kept.

Matthew 18:10 “...See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven...”

NOTE: Early manuscripts don’t include Matthew 18:11 "...For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost...”

Who are the little ones Jesus is referencing?

• He said entry into the kingdom of heaven required becoming like children.
• He explained the importance of receiving children.
• He explained the consequence of causes these little ones to sin.
• He is either talking about children, child like Christians, or both.

Who has angels and what privilege do they have?

• These little ones have “their angels”.
• These angels always have access to the face of the Father.
• This is a passage used as evidence that angels do indeed guard God’s people.

Hebrews 1:13-14 “...And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?...”

 

Matthew 18:12-14 “...What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish...”

Luke 15:4-6 “...What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost...’

What do these verses reveal about God’s will?

• He cares about those who have gone astray.
• He doesn’t want any of the little ones to perish.

Is He talking about all humanity?

Does the reference to sheep and little ones narrow the scope?

Luke 15:7 “...Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance...”

• This sounds more inclusive of all humanity.

• Just as the shepherd’s friends rejoice when he finds that which was lost, God’s friends rejoice when he recovers what was lost to him.

Were the Pharisees and scribes rejoicing with Jesus as He went after sinners?

Were the Pharisees and scribes God’s friends?

Are we God’s friends?

Matthew 18:15-17 “...If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector...”

What process is being described?

• The process of reconciliation, of rescuing one who has gone astray.

What is the appropriate sequence?

• First contact is private, you and him alone.
• Second contact, if needed, is with one or two others.
• Third contact, if needed, involves the church.
• Fourth contact? Three strikes and out?

Matthew 18:18-20 “...Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them...”

What is being bound or loosed?

• John 20:23 “...If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld...” [spoken after breathing the Holy Spirit on them - apart from the Spirit this process doesn’t work correctly]

• People. God desires reconciliation. People can refuse it.

Is this scripture ever used out of context?

• 1 Timothy 5:19 “...Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses...”

•  Hebrews 10:28 “...Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses...”

We need God in our midst to process reconciliation correctly.